Sunday, November 20, 2011

PHOTOS FROM CHRISTMAS PAST

I've recently been going through old photos to try and find some that I can scan and make into Christmas cards for my grand kids. You'd think I'd have tons of pictures but that's not the case and half of the ones I do have are fuzzy.

Years ago I took photos all of the time with my trusty 35mm camera with all of the expensive lenses and attachments. This was not an automatic camera mind you and since I needed to focus manually as my eyesight worsened so did the quality of my photos. I started taking fewer photos and let my kids do most of the picture taking when we got together for holidays. For some reason they never felt the need to share with me as the pictures were of their children. Go figure. Since then I've purchased a couple of cameras that are automatic but up until recently haven't taken enough photos to even bother getting photo boxes.

So going through the photos I came across a few I thought I'd share with you. While I was searching through the packets I started feeling nostalgic for the days when my grands were young and innocent. I really miss the excitement of the holidays as demonstrated by the young. You've heard the saying Christmas is about the kids? Maybe it's just something I say. It's pretty much how I feel about this time of year. I'd love to have a time machine and go back to the years when my kids were little and getting up on Christmas morning.

Here are a couple of photos taken the Christmas of 1992. I was living in Vancouver at the time.

Santa's helper setting gifts under the tree. Not all of us helpers are elves you know.


Sitting on the sofa is my daughter, Bambi and her friend. I'm in the center of the photo, I think hubby took the picture and since I was passing out gifts he thought I was the main figure in the setting. In the foreground are the tops of my grand's heads. I don't think they would be impressed with this picture of them. I'm showing you it because this is what I looked like 20 years ago.  Not too shabby for being a grandma.


This is one of the few photos of AJ during that time period. I think he was shy around me because he really didn't remember who I was. He's holding a picture of himself and his brother that I had sitting on a shelf.



This is Christmas of 1994 and Ariel and Donovan sitting with me in front of my tree. I just noticed we're all dressed in black and gray. Not very festive. Ariel was 3 1/2 and Donovan was 7 at the time of this picture.



Ariel looked so excited and happy with her new sweater while Donovan looked more subdued. Must be the age difference.



Donovan with a few of his gifts taking a break waiting for someone else to open a present.



Okay, I guess I have to confess that we were all goth this Christmas. That or there was a terrific sale on black. Bambi actually did wear black most of the time and I've been known to have a dozen black dresses at one time hanging in my closet.



Ariel got this large chocolate bear the night before Christmas and insisted on sleeping with him. She did want him to wear some of her pajamas and was disappointed when they didn't fit.

These pictures are some of the last ones I took back then. I have more but they really are so terrible I'd be embarrassed to show them.

I'm still working on my ornaments. I've made 30 by painting Santa on clothes pins and have made several more cookie ornaments. I'm not happy with most of the last batch of cookies and don't think I'll waste time painting them. I might be able to salvage some stars and trees and a couple of the snowmen but for the most part I wouldn't think of hanging  them on the tree. I'd rather the tree be skimpy on ornaments. I also have a Belsnickle nearly ready to paint and two more in the early stages. I have some fabric ornaments cut out ready to be stitched and some paper ornaments that I've started.

Thanksgiving is in just a few days. I went out this morning and did my shopping for the dinner I'm preparing. I tried to think of everything I'll need but you know how that goes. I'll be in the middle of my preparations and realize I forgot to get_________, fill in the blank.

How about you? Are you getting ready for Thanksgiving? My son and son-in-law got down my Christmas dishes from the attic this morning while my daughter and I were grocery shopping. They put the boxes in the living room of all places. One of the things I like to do is switch the dishes out and use only the Christmas ones during the month of December. The guys were just trying to get ahead on things I need help with not thinking about a house full of people on Thursday. I found out today that Donovan won't be able to make it as he's on tour. I'd better do some more checking to see if there are going to be any more no shows.

I want to wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving. I pray you have family and friends to surround you and a wonderful meal on the table. I wish you health and happiness and that you have a day so memorable that years from now you'll think about this one Thanksgiving day with a fond heart. Thanks to all of you who have become so important to me. To those who have left encouragement to me in your lovely comments. To those who've become dear friends I say thank you.

I should get back to my painting.  As always thanks for stopping by.

19 comments:

The Bear's Blog said...

Oh, Miss Maddyrose, what beautiful photos of you and your family.

I am wondering though, it's Christmas and your Christmas dress has short sleeves. Isn't it too cold for short sleeves in December at the North Pole? (o:

Hugs,
Prudence

Hi Bellamine & Wendy, what's ya doin'?

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Hey Maddy....yes two trips to the store and I still forgot to get frozen broccoli. I'm not really with it right now. Too much stuff not enough day, but then I know you know the name of that tune also.
Boy what a looker you are. A real stunner as my brother used to say. Heck, I don't think my daughter had one little idea that black wasn't the color of all seasons. She still wears black all the time....and no Goth flashbacks for her. Me, I look way to pale in black so I don't partake.
Go back to painting, I'll get back to glueing and I'll meet up with you after Turkey Day. Have a super Thanksgiving my friend. Oma Linda

Kays Kids said...

What a lovely post. You certainly are one beautiful Grandma. I have wonderful memories of when the Grandies were little as well.
We don't have Thanksgiving day in Australia. Although I am thankful in my heart and will be thinking of you.
I laughed about the bits cut out, the Santa ready for painting,peg father Christmas's , and ornaments Sounds like me a lot on the go.
Blessings for Thanksgiving,
Hugs Granny and Wilbur

Jan said...

Nice festive post with your family. Hope you have a thankful thanksgiving. What will you be wearing? And what is Donovan touring on? You have probably already said and I missed it.

~Sara said...

such fun! Have a blessed Thanksgiving! ~Sara

orchid0324 said...

Oh, Dearest maddy
So Nice to Meet You♡♡♡
What a lovely lady you are and your family♬♬♬ You look the most happy grandma then!!!
The busiest season for Western people, I can see. It seems fairy more work for you to go for Christmas.
Wishing wonderful creations from you, but not much overworking!!! Well, I always have memo what to buy when go shopping... whew p;)
I am thinking to grill chicken on the Thanksgiving night, thinking of you guys in America. I wish you wonderful family gathering♬♬♬
Blessing to you and all of your family, xoxo Orchid*

PS> Thank you for your lovely comment. I was checking about first santa; mostly thinking about you. Happy to get the enlightening knowledge about history. Thank you very much, my dear friend♡♡♡

Katy Cameron said...

Bwahaha, gothic Christmas, love it! I have virtually no photos since my teenage years - I hated having my photo taken, and my dad got about 3 photos a year. Seriously, that was it. Hmm, maybe that wasn't the best move, as god only knows where the few he did take are now!

Cobblestone Creations said...

What a lovely post! I love looking at old photos ~ even someone else's. lol And as for black ~ I like to think of it as simply elegant ~ not goth. You should see my closet . . .

Have a lovely holiday with your lovely family this week!!
hugs,
laura

Crystal said...

Fantastic photos! I love looking through old photos, although mine are not as good as yours. I was all thumbs with my old camera. Digital is so much better, if I think looks awful I simply delete right then! :-)

Ascension said...

Unas entraƱables fotografias, me ha encantado conocerte un poco mas.
Espero que paseis un feliz dia de Accion de Gracias.
besitos ascension

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh how I love flippin' though the pictures of your Christmas past!!! What fun!!!

I just wanted to drop by sweetie and with you and your family a very beautifully blessed Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Please drop by is ya get a chance...

Giveaway...my place...ya'll come!!!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Hey darlin' I just wanted to thank you for visitin' with your sweet comment and hoppin' on my blog. I sure hope ya'll enjoy the ride!

God bless and enjoy the holiday sweetie! :o)

Anonymous said...

Ohhh..Maddyrose..this pictures are so lovely.
What a beautiful children..and the tree so nice..
What a very lovely post.

Love..Marijke

Victoria said...

Wonderful photos of you and your family! I have quite a bit of black in my closet...it's so easy to accessorize.

Thanks for stopping by my blog, I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Blessings, Victoria from Brushstrokes

Leny said...

Lovely pictures,thanks for sharing!!!

Hugs,
Leny

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Ms. Maddy, you are the winner of one of my NQR hearts. I'll mail it to you on Monday. Congrats my dear. Oma Linda

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Hey sweetie, I'm huntin' Busybeemama to thank her for joinin' my blog.

I noticed you are on her members list too. Her profile doesn't have contact info.

Any help???

Thanks, have a beautifully blessed week!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing these photos of your beautiful family. You were absolutly lovely and something tells me you still are.

Isn't it funny how time seems to fly? When someone mentions the 90's I think, "well that wasn't that long ago" and then reality sets in and I realize how long ago it really was. To see Donavon as a sweet little 7 year old and hear you say he will miss Thanksgiving because he is on tour just...well it boggles my mind.

In closing, I just want to say thank you to you as well, for always being so kind and generous and warm.

Dianie said...

Hi Maddy!

I love all these Christmas pics from the past.
Your grand-kids are cuties and they have one cute grandma!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

~Diane